The Heart of a Mighty Warrior – Week Three Lesson

Important Change in Schedule. Many of you have written and said life is busy and you are behind on your lessons. So, guess what? We are taking a one week vacation!!

We will not meet here next Monday, so you will have two weeks to either catch up and/or complete this week’s homework. To make it really clear…we will take a week off and meet back here on October 25th.

We learned some wonderful new truths together this past week. Thank you for all the great questions and answers. I just LOVE reading your comments and learn so much from you as you share what God speaks to you.

This is such a difficult time in David’s life. My heart broke as I read his words in 1 Samuel 27:1, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of hte Philistines. then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel…” How sad that he is so desperate that he would choose to go and live in enemy territory.

Let’s jump right into our lesson. Below please find the lesson for Week Three and the homework and reading assignment for Week Four.

Registration: If you have not officially registered for the study by providing your first name and e-mail, please do that for me. It will ensure that you receive all future e-mails about new studies, giveaways, and other good stuff. You can provide it by leaving a comment on my blog, e-mailing me at deuteronomysix@aol.com, or sending me a message on Facebook. I will never share your information.

Subscribing via e-mail: Don’t forget you can subscribe by e-mail and receive this post in your in-box each week. However, you will not be able to see the videos or comments unless you visit my blog directly.

Reading Assignment: Read as assigned through the homework.

This Week’s Memory Verse: And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10

Homework Questions: Please do as many questions as time allows. It is in your reading and studying that God will do His greatest work.

Prayer:Heavenly Father, what a wonderful week ahead we have in David’s life. He finally steps up to take his rightful place as King of Israel. Lord, thank You for showing me David’s life and his heart. Continue to show me what it is to be a woman after Your heart…to have a heart like You. Teach me to wait upon You. Teach me to see You in all things. Father, before I take a single step toward something new, remind me to come before You and seek Your will. For Your Promise is You know the plans You have for me, plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. When I don’t hear the answer I want to hear, Lord, help me trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Help me to acknowledge You in all my ways because then and only then will You direct my paths. Keep my eyes straight ahead, focused on You. Help me to never turn to the left or to the right without Your approval. Thank You that You are with me and promise to never leave me or forsake me. Open my heart this week to receive all that You have for me. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Today, we begin an exciting chapter in the life of David. The man anointed by God fifteen years earlier is about to occupy his long awaited throne. As we have learned over the past several weeks, this throne did not come easily. God did not hand it to him on a silver platter. God needed to equip David before He would allow him to serve and lead His people. That equipping required David to walk through some very difficult trials and struggles.

1. Read 2 Samuel Chapter 2.

a. What is the first thing David does? (verse 1)

b. What does God say to David?

c. What lesson do you learn? How are you at asking God’s direction before making a big decision? Give examples.

It seemed David did not want to take a single step without first seeking God’s direction.

We should do the same. Today, we may not meet God in a burning bush, hear His voice call from heaven, or see answers revealed in Urim and Thummin, but we have something so much better. We have the written Word of God. It is available whenever and wherever we need it. Please never ever forget this valuable gift.

2. What happened when David got to Hebron? (2 Samuel 2:4).

3. Read Psalm 145. This is truly a magnificent hymn. What change do you see in this psalm from the psalms we read in previous chapters?

4. Who was Abner?

5. Who was Joab? (for background read 1 Chronicles 2:13-17)

6. Who happened at Gibeon?

7. Read 2 Samuel Chapter 3. Joab is back in the picture. Remember Joab is the one who pursued Abner for killing his brother. Of what did Joab accuse Abner in verses 23-25?

a. What happened next? What was Joab’s motivation? (verse 27, 30)

b. How did David respond upon hearing the news (verses 28-29, 31-35)?

c. What does this tell us about David’s heart?

8. Read Psalm 18.

a. Share David’s names for God in verses 1-3.

b. How does David describe his plight in verses 4-5?

c. How does David describe his faith in verses 20-24?

e. How does David explain God’s nature and how He works in verses 25-29?

f. Again, what does David tell us about our God in verses 30-36?

g. How does David end this Psalm?

9. Read 2 Samuel 5. Today David will experience the fulfillment of God’s grand plan for him as he takes his rightful place as King of Israel. 2 Samuel Chapter 5 begins by telling us that all the tribes of Israel met with David at Hebron.

a. How old was David when He became King?

b. How old was Jesus when he began His ministry? (Luke 3:23)? Do you think it significant they both began their ministry at the same age?

10. Before we move on, we need to pause and reflect on what a momentous day this was for David. It had been fifteen years since Samuel had anointed David King. Reread 1Samuel 16:6-13. Now read 2 Samuel 5:2 again:

Fill in the blank: You will ________________ my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.”

11. According to verse 10, what happened to David? Why?

12. Read verse 12. What great insight we get into David’s heart. Write the verse below and underline the key verbs.

13. The end of chapter 5 finds David again in a battle against the Philistines. He is back where he started so many years ago, except no Goliath!

a. What does David do before he ever goes into battle? (verse 19)

b. What about in verse 23?

c. What does David do in response in verses 20 and 25?

14. Read 2 Samuel 7.

a. What does verse 1 reveal about David’s heart?

b. It is interesting that David did not go to the Lord with his thoughts and his plan. Instead he went to Nathan. But the all-knowing Lord knew David’s heart, and He intervened immediately to speak to David through Nathan.

* What does God ask David in verses 5-7?

* What does God promise?

* Who will build God’s permanent house?

15. Read 1 Chronicles 22:7-8, 28:3-7.

a. What reason did David give to his people for God not allowing him to be the one to build a royal house for God?

b. Who did David say would build the house for God?

16. Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29. Instead of getting angry with God when He said “no” to David’s grand plan, David responds with humility and praise.

Through this prayer, God allows us to dive into the depths of David’s heart and soul.

a. What did David physically do in verse 18?

b. Have you ever been so touched by God at work in your life that you intentionally “go” somewhere and sit before Him? If so, when was the last time and why?

c. What do verses 18 and 19 reveal about David’s heart?

d. What happens beginning in verse 22? Share what David says about God and what He has done for his people.

Friend, hear what God says to Israel…

one nation on earth that…

God went out to redeem as a people for Himself

God went out to make a name for Himself

God went out to perform great and awesome wonders

God has established as His very own forever

Please hear a wonderful truth! Through Christ’s death, we too are God’s chosen people. We have been redeemed. We too are God’s very own children!

Comments

I'm in tears. Thank you. I was feeling like I had failed again. I really wish this had more than just a video to watch. I wish it was structured so that we could have a time to meet online and discuss things. I need accountability. I am so far behind. Life is hard right now.

Sally, don't feel discouraged. God knows your life and He knows what's in your heart. Do what you can do when you can and just be in His presence at those times, that is all He wants, is for you to be with Him. This is not to be a stressful thing, it's to bring you closer to Him. Please don't be so hard on yourself. It will all come together in His timing.

You all have me in tears reading your comments!! Anonymous said it right, when she said this is not supposed to be a stressful thing… (and for me, I sometimes need to remember that too!) I feel "I" have to get it done or God will be disappointed in me for not completing it.. but then I sit back and realize.. I am spending time with him and this "IS" what "HE" wants.. it doesn't matter to him if we get behind or we don't know the correct answer right away.. just as long as That "WE" are with him.. So keep your heads up!! and keep that smile on your face because we are making "GOD" smile by being here..Wendy, thank you for ALL you have done for ALL of us!Love,Kim

Hello Wendy,Thank you so much for this study in the life of David. It is a true blessing! I have focused on the Lord's love and constant care for me and my family. No matter our circumstances, David is a reminder of how God never leaves us. I have been pouring out my heart in prayer, song and in the worship of His Word. You are in my prayers as you continue to prepare this study for all of us. Thank you for sharing the gift God has given you Love in Him,Judy

Hi Wendy and fellow study members,I just wanted to concur with the posts above as well as Wendy's comments. Go at your own pace. The Lord loves spending time with us and that is what He wants! Don't let the enemy steal that away from you. Just find joy in those moments, even though they may seem precious and few…

One thing that I always admired about David was his honest and open relationship with God. This is something that I strived to have because our Heavenly Father already knows it all anyway….so yes, many times I find myself crying out to God like in Psalm 22:1-2 HOWEVER the Lord never really allows me to stay there very long. I am always humbled by the things that He has already done for me and I try to remember that if He never did another thing for me that He is still good! Sometimes it takes me longer than I'd like but my focus shifts back to singing my praises to the one who deserves it all.

One thing I would really like the Lord to grow in me is the humility of honoring someone who has hurt me like Saul has hurt David!

thank you for extra time…this will give me a chance to catch up too, I am very grateful for the encouragement to study David's life and to spend time in the Bible. Thank you so much for your ministry and prayers. Praying for the other ladies in this group and for you too!

I'm really sad that we'll be off a whole week…Couldn't I just get next weeks lesson send to me via e-mail…..I love these Bible lessons and my better understanding of David,,,knowing that God never leaves us….

I was worrying about how I was going to do my study for last week (I just started working on it today) I found out last Monday 10/4/10 that my brother-in-law Rob has Stage 4 Colon Cancer and it has mestasticized in his liver – They started emergency chemo and will continue to do that for 3 months to see if he will be able to have surgery – he is only 45 years old. Could you please pray for him – I know he believes in God but is not a practicing Christian – I haven't had to chance to see where he stands with God due to people being around all the time. I don't want to put him on the spot or make him feel defensive when I bring up our faith so please pray that I find the words to "Live out Loud" in my walk with Jesus to him. Please pray for healing and comfort for him and my sister Kim. Thanks in advance everybody…

Thank You for the extra time. My father-in-law passed away 3 weeks ago unexpectedly and it has been really hard on the family. He had a farm that he ran, so the family has had to all jump in and help. So I have felt like i have been pulled in many different directions. I was feeling like I wouldn't been able to do the study but now with the extra time I think I will be able to. Please pray for my famliy as we still have some much to do. I know God is in control in all of this. Thank You again. Elizabeth

David spoke disease, hunger, and even death over the house of Joab because of Joab's vengeful killing of Abner. Can David do that? Was it out of selfishness that his plans were possibly ruined? David made an agreement to protect Abner and wanted any blame far far from him and his name. What ever came of the curses he spoke over Joab's "head and all his fathers house"?

David is a man after Gods own heart, stated by God himself…incredible considering the choices he made. His heart meant good, his temper would get in the way…kind of sound like me sometimes Good to know His grace and mercy are new each morning and when we confess our sins to Him He wipes them away. God was very patient with David, moreso than most it seems, that part is thought provoking for me…

I have a prayer request. A friend of a friend of mine is going through a very difficult time right now. Her son was diagnosed with cancer some time ago. After treatment, the doctors said the cancer was gone. However, it seems the cancer has returned. The Drs are talking about more chemo and possible stem cell surgery. On top of all this, the mom, Nancy, has symptoms of Multiple Schlerosis. She will be going for tests to find out for sure. I feel so burdened for this family and I ask that you will join me in praying for them. Thank you so much.

ladies, thank you for the encouraging words! i have felt terrible each week when i come up short on my lessons. (even as i write this i have a little person tugging on my arm saying, "let's go, mommy! let's go, mommy!") i need to show myself the grace God shows me!

Dale, regarding the son with cancer:I know only was to personally how this must feel for your friend. My daughter was in a similar experience. She diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, she had a relapse about 1 year after the initial treatment was done. All she would agree with at age 16 was surgical removal. She refused further chemo.I had to tell the Lord, that he would be the best parent for my daughter. This is way more than I can handle and I needed him to take care of her. She has scans coming up at the end of the month. Each and every scan is such a worrisome event as to be told it has returned for a 3 time would devastating news. I will say prayer's for Nancy's son, and for Nancy to have the strength and courage to continue to move forward. If this is the same cancer, please have Nancy email me.

I am just finishing today, the last lesson so this was a sweet break meaning I can now take more time to really try to understand how David must feel. I just am so amazed that he started this run for his life at age 22. I have a son who is 22 years old.

1 Samuel 15 really stuck out to me. I think to myself how many times do we do things God asks of us but put our own little twist on it that we think would be a good things. I would say that Saul was raised that the sacrifices to the Lord were needed & respectful. God told him to DESTROY (completely) the Amelikites, God said nothing of brining back the best for sacrifice. Thinking about previous times God has told people to do things & wanted the best kept for Him, He would say so. What I got from this is the God is straight forward & honest in what He asks of us. And for us to not add to it or sway off the instrucitons God gave…even if we see it as a good honoring thing. I am also doing a study thru the book of Isaih and God has been telling me the same thing with both studies, 1)the best thing is to love & obey Him, not all the sacrifices and good deeds…2)to be more concerned about what He is thinking of me than what anyone else thinks of me. These have both been reacurring thoughts brought to me and I pray I can follow thru for Him. The reading has so come alive for me..I love it!

I too have been dealing with the fear of Judgement of others, or just being so concerned with other peoples thoughts of me and who I am. But this study and my daily prayer and reading I feel God telling me to drop the fear, because his Judgement is ALL that I should be concerned with.
I am a baby christian and to hear God speak to me with His word is just soo moving and something I constantly am praying for….

This study could not have come at a better time in my life. My husband and I have decided that I will not work and home school our kids due to mental illness with one child and issues with public school. It doesn't make since for me to not work because we have just enough to pay bills but not for food or gas. My husband is looking for a part time job that will help tremendously but nothing is panning out so far. I feel so guilty about not working but since I've quit I was there to help lead my daughter in the salvation prayer, my marriage is stronger, and the relationship between my kids and the relationship between them has gotten stronger. I don't have as many migraines either. I know God wants me to home-school and I know he has something planned for my husband but its hard when I want it now and God is saying not yet. I can understand a lot of how David feels but I know too that God will never leave me nor forsake me. Please pray for my family and I.

As so many others have said before me, this extra time is a blessing! It was so comforting to read those big red letters on the top. Thank you Wendy and God for hearing all of our prayers. Cannot wait to dig into the 2 lessons that I need to do. The story of David is one that continues to remind me the importance of having time with God and His Word every day.

Wendy thanks for the break ~ there is sooo much here to read and think about. I was feeling discouraged and overwhelmed that I couldn't even finish the first lesson, never mind week 2 & 3. I have to be reminded that it is all in my time and that any reading I do is drawing me closer to Him. I love reading about David and learning about his character!

thanks Wendy for the extra time. I have been participating fully on my own but have not had time or opportunity to post much about what I am finding out about David and also myself. I hope to be able to spend more time reading posts from others as well as posting comments of my own. Have a great week off everyone!

Wendy, I, too, thank you for giving another week to catch up. My daughter just had her first child on 10/9 by C-section; our "big" Will weighed 10lb.4oz. They came home yesterday and I stayed with them until 3a.m. this morning and was back over there at 8 this morning until late afternoon. (no complaining from this Mema) 😉 😉 Of course, I thank God that He retired me from teaching so that I could help… He is so faithful. Why do we concern ourselves with WHEN as God has His own time table for each of us. He will get us to this special time with Him as He knows best when we need to read or focus on David or when we need to read His word for He provides for us when we least expect it.I love this study of David; I so appreciate the qts. and information that you give us. Even though I taught the David material for youth from Beth Moore, I feel this study is truly speaking to me. I will be in prayer for those of you are feeling overwhelmed and for the one having stage 4 cancer and others. ( I had forgotten about being able to comment ;), but I know that my time is limited now since I have to go over and hold Will so much. 😉 It's a tough job but someone has to do it !!! What a blessing from God! Hang in there, gals; God will take us through this study as He brought us to it.Thanking Him for Wendy, David, and for being a mighty and awesome God, Jeanne

HI Wendy and All,This study, of the life of David, has touched home really close, as has for many of yous. I have recently fractured my tail bone and am in lots of pain. I recently started a part time job (after so many years of being a home worker) because my husband has been out of a job for more that a year. Due to dificult situations in the economy (he has his own business and has had no contracts). Our savings are almost down to zero. As you can see my situation is overwhelming me!! I am confined to the house but cannot do anything but recuperate from my injury (doctors orders). My husband and daughter – 15 (God bless them) are doing all the cooking and cleaning. This brings me to your bible study – God seems to be teaching me that I need to let him lead!!! I need to go to Him and pour out my desperation. I need to remember that he does not forsake me. I am not alone!!! I need to find my strength in the Lord my God!!!!David's desperation, in always running from Saul and trying to stay alive, must have been all consuming for him. Day in and day out, the worry of where will I go, who can I trust. I know he felt alone! But, as we see, the Lord was always with him. And this because, David trusted in His word!I will also trust in the Lord. I will also pray for his promises of healing (as, also, our sisters with cancer) I WILL FIND MY STRENGHT IN THE LORD MY GOD AND BE CONFIDENT THAT HE WILL SEE ME THROUGH THIS DIFICULT TIME!!!! Thank you all for your comments – they help in knowing that I am not alone

Hello, Wendy–I'd love to participate in this study, too. The video this week, where you mention how David knew that his negative thoughts and fears would lead him into a depression, so he countered those thoughts and fears with what he KNEW God to be, really stirred my heart.

As a woman who battles with depression, the Psalms have always resonated with me, because I have related so much to the anguish-turned-praise in so many of them. But before your video, I had not thought of that turn to praise being a conscious thing, but rather just the Holy Spirit nudging David's heart to praise–because David is a man after God's own heart. So I viewed it as a blessing reserved mostly for David, not for me.

But now seeing that David was CONSCIOUSLY choosing to turn from despair to praise, I understand more WHY he was a man after God's own heart!! He was proactive!! He waited expectantly for God's help, and cried out to God for help, but also put his own effort into doing his best to do God's will (even though, like me, he fails so often). David seems to have had a sort of demanding faith (not in a conceited way, but in a way that took claim to God's promises).

I lie down and give up all too often, thinking God can't or won't hear me, and feel so sorry for myself. But I need to be more like David, and cry out to the God I KNOW is there, praising Him with the words He's used to describe Himself in the Bible.

Thank you for the lesson, and I'm also so touched by the comments that all of the women have written, how open and honest and supportive they are toward one another. I've gone through the list of comments and prayed for each of you, and feel very blessed that God led me to this post, and to be in the "presence" (although not in-person with) of women who love God so much.

Wow — I love reading the comments. I am also confused by David's curse on Joab's family. Is David's anger at Joab's revenge justified by the fact that Abner only reluctantly killed Asehel, Joab's brother?Also, because of this study, I now know to always pray about every decision, large and small. However, I don't understand how to find answers to my specific questions in God's Word. Studies like this guide me to grow spiritually, but specific practical things, like praying for a job, or right decisions about my children, or finances…I can't cast lots, which leads me to a new question — why did God allow casting lots, by the way, since divination is a sin? So many questions, so little time…

And Jennifer I also battle depression, sometimes it battles me….I will keep praying the He reaches out and touches each of us where we need it.

I love that David hears exactly from the mouth of God….I want clear and concise answers too! Sometimes they aren't and sometimes they are….I used to think "they" had it better and those that walked literally wiTh Him had it better but now….I dont know. We have the awesome chance of proof positive of His works. My prayer is the voice of God is more clear to me and to you, that a the relationship I want everyday.

Thank you for your prayers. Nancy's son has lymphoma. I've not heard anything new since my last post, but I'd appreciate continued prayers. I will pray for you and your daughter as well. Cynthia…I'm praying for Rob and Kim. Your request really touched me as colon cancer runs in my family.

I'd like to leave my favorite verses with you all for now: "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 1 Cor 2:17-18 Be encouraged!

This has been a precious time for me. Reading about David is always good for me because I am not only encouraged in knowing that God forgives when we fail, but I am teachable and I see so much here that teaches me how to walk closer to my LORD. I have read many books on The Shepherd, and have been reading more books on David.I love the way he not only prayed, but he "inquired" of the LORD and praised the LORD so often. We many times tend to just pray for our needs. I love this asking for direction too. And I have learned to praise God at the beginning of prayer and at the end. I want to thank God as well. I wonder some days how to know if God is answering. Well, I read that when things are silent it does not mean God didn't hear, it may mean we are to wait and watch and listen. Martha and Mary heard NOTHING from Jesus, and thought it was too late when Lazarus finally died. But look what happened! Elisabeth and Zacharius waited and was old, when they finally got the baby they prayed for! John the Baptist!David was wise and obedient to go and ask for direction. It will come. He didn't get to be king for 15 yrs after annointment! Went through a lot of trials. But he was obedient to go and repent, pray, and get things right with God. He DID fear God! So many today do not repent, or Fear God. They let pride get in the way. David gave God all the glory. He gave thanked , praised, and honored God. He didn't even argue with God about why he could not be the one to build the House of God and get the glory! Oh that I will just trust, and obey , repent, listen, praise, and walk in obedience with my LORD!

I do soak in the WORD and it is all that keeps me lifted up. I suffer depression and fear due to a prodigal child. I try to go 3 times a day to read a devotion such as this ( keep in the WORD) , and I pray many times a day for God to comfort, strengthen me , and help my unbelief. I know His strength, I know His power! I love His arms that reach down and hold me up , and let me cry, and then help me to stand strong again against the enemy with the Sword of Praying His Word!May All of you other Ladies stand as women of valor and fight for your KING and with your brothers and sisters in Christ for righteousness in this modern world that twist God's Word to find a way to justify sin. Read Eric Ludy's books, Wrestling Prayer, and The Bravehearted Gospel. Lots about David in them and strengthening to the soul.

I had a difficult few weeks- but I'm here and I"m a little thankful for the extra week. I was kinda zipping through the homework "just to get it done" but I know that God was working something in me- That seed was being planted. I plan to do better this week and really try to let God speak to me slowly. Thank you for the time and effort you put in this. I know God is doing something wonderful in me and my family and my church and this is a tool to help me grow and be closer to him to help others. So for that I thank you for letting God lead you to lead others!Jessica B.

Just got back from a wonderful trip with my husband to celebrate my birthday. Love catching up on your comments.

First, checking on the prayer requests…Nancy whose son has cancer, Elizabeth's family whose father-in-law passed away, and Cindy's request for Rob and Kim.

I am thankful that so many of you are using this time to catch up and to go deeper in your study. God will bless you as you spend time with him.

Regarding Terri's questions, regarding the "cursing" issue. My studying revealed that Joab's murder of of Abner took place not during war time but in a time of peace, and it took place in Hebron, a city of refuge. These two things showed Joab's venge-filled heart and his disregard for the law and for the preciousness of life. He murdered for revenge at a time and place where it was not permitted. David needed to separate himself from the horrific acts of this evil man who definitely did NOT have a heart like David's.

As for the casting of lots, it was a common biblical practice. It did not have anything to do with chance. The Israelites believed that God worked through the casting of lots to reveal His will. See Proverbs 18:18 and Proverbs 16:33 for some verses regarding casting of lots.

Hope this gives some insight into your questions.

As for knowing God's will with specifics, that truly is looking for God to speak through His Word, circumstances, and people. Sometimes He is faithful to answer VERY specifically and other times it seems not so clear. I encourage you to continue to seek Him for specifics…He is faithful!

Thank you all for being here. I have enjoyed reading the comments and even the questions. I am not really stressing over it for I know God's desire and mine, but it makes me sad when I get so far behind. I am probably harder on myself than I would ever think God would be – he is merciful and his mercies are new each morning! Wendy, I loved your short, to the point list of suggestions for times of trial. (yes, I'm still behind!) — But, I am going to share it with my daughter (Cry out, Word, Promises, Believe, Pray – in a nutshell). David is one of my favorites, along with Moses and Daniel. He is so real. He wants so desperately to do the right thing, but he has insecurities and failings just like all of us. Thanks to all of you for being here. We are trying to lighten my daughter's school workload by going through the long steps of a late drop of classes. I am praying that this really helps her, but it is a long process and we covet prayers. Thanks!

4 more days till monday!!!! I'm so ready for the next week:) David is someone I really identify with on lots of levels, the depth of this study encourages me so very much. Thank you Wendy for your time and commitment to us.

This study has made me see the Psalms in such a different light. They've always been a place to go to get guidance, inspiration, help, etc. But now knowing some more of David's story, they mean so much more to me. Like Terri, I too sometimes struggle with finding God's answers for me, but like Wendy said to continue to seek God's Word and love. Sometimes I have trouble because even though I know how powerful God is I feel as though I am always asking him for help, guidance, what I need. I need to find ways to make sure in my prayers that I also add thank yous and praise to God as well. It would be helpful to know different ways to give thanks and praise-I suppose the Psalms are a good place to start for ideas.

Hi Everyone, First of all I want to let everyone know that you have been in my prayers.

Secondly, I just want to say how much I am enjoying this bible study. There is so much depth in studying King David's life. He relied on God. Even when David failed God was faithful and merciful to David. God is faithful and merciful to us also. Like Wendy said at the end of the homework, because of Christ's death on the cross, we also are God's chosen people. This is such an awesome thought to wrap my mind around. Glory be to God.

I find David’s heart for God so amazing! All i want is his heart after God in his life. I feel like I am at a wall in my seeking and understanding of the word. I pray constantly for His word to fill me up and guide me with my decisions. and I find myself searching for answers with in his word for confirmation on my life or guidance to keep on the straight and narrow, but I fear I am not hearing Him.. I really want to hear God in my life. Please pray for me.